Winter Visitor

by Leslie
(Salt Lake City, Utah)

Today we had a winged visitor I need help to identify? It was sitting in a large tree we have on our little farm. He was about (per husbands measure guess) between 10 to 12 inches tall, in a sitting position bundled up ( We have about 5 inches fresh snow) He is somewhat speckled gray with a head similar to a hawk/pigeon but larger, with a long strong needle nose beak? Body like a hawk somewhat. He has stayed in our tree for most of the day (sorry no photo)We believe we saw two pair fly over our canal during the summer as it was getting dark every night. When in flight they have white underneath? They make (from memory) a loud cooing type sound in flight? I have searched a Utah bird sight on the web but was unable to locate a similar bird? Please if anyone out there can help or guide me to where I could confirm his handsome guys identity I would be very grateful. Thank you for your time :)